Being Present to Your Own Life

What does it mean to be present to our
lives? We have been habituated to passing through our life with little or no
presence. Yes, we are aware of things; we can focus on things and direct our
attention to details or panoramas. But to be present means something more: it
means to be aware of the external world in which one is acting and
simultaneously observe how one’s inner world is stimulated by the
external world.

The awareness that accompanies us
throughout the day is automatic. But to go beyond this level of awareness
requires an intentional effort, an effort that can only come from ourselves and
be sustained by ourselves. Because it is not automatic, however, we need to
learn how to make this effort, and have help sustaining it.

In order for a system of awakening to be
truly practical, each person must be able to verify that its techniques work
for them. To verify means to demonstrate to oneself that something is true or
not true. As the foundation of spiritual work, verification enables a person to
acquire a direct relationship to awakening. Spiritual work reveals whether or
not you are awake or asleep in the moment.